Collapsible paper gift basket

ABSTRACT

A paper gift basket comprised of a box-like paperboard tray which collapses into a small, flat package. It includes a perforated, cut-out in front panel of basket which can be easily removed and used as a gift card. The paper basket allows for the use of a cellophane bag, a bow and related gift items to be used with basket. All which can fold and become a part of the final basket packaged for retail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims reference to provisional application No.61/589,359 filed Jan. 22, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a paper gift basket intended to be used as a consumergift product. It's main function and use is unique in that it is made ofpaperboard and its exact portability, collapsibility and customizationcurrently do not exist. The unique aspects are that this inventionincludes a gift card built into the structure of the basket and that itfolds or collapses and can be opened fully to use. It solves the problemof a gift basket that is light in weight (made of paper board); useslittle space (folds), is easy to use and transport, and can becustomized by a consumer (built-in note card).

Traditionally, gift baskets are comprised of various retail items placedinside a straw basket or plastic container which, in turn, is placedinside a clear plastic bag or wrap. These baskets are heavy andcumbersome and can be difficult to carry and transport. They are notcustomizable and, since a retailer pre-selects the items used in thebaskets, the consumer has no control or decision in how these basketslook or what they consists of. In addition, items such as a gift cardand bow typically need to be purchased separately.

Reference: Patent Number: US0D0649477.

It is not able to collapse and is not customizable. Note card isseparate and not contained within structure of basket.

Reference: Patent Number: US007360665.

Does not collapse and is not customizable. Note card is separate and notcontained within structure of basket.

Reference: Patent Number: US0D0413441.

Not collapsible and not customizable. Note card does not exist.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible paper basket embodied as a paperboard tray with built-ingift card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a collapsible paper basket showing the front of invention viewthereof;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perforated gift card view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a standard auto-lock box bottom view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a custom modification of auto-lock box bottom view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a bottom panel of basket that would be unseen when collapsedview thereof;

FIG. 7 is a depiction of bottom of basket as it is tucked inside whencollapsed view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the interior view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a magnified cut-out of gift card view thereof;

FIG. 10 is an example of final use and function of invention viewthereof;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides for a collapsible, paper basket intended for useas a gift basket. This invention is comprised of a single, box-likepaper tray that is unique in that, unlike typical baskets made of strawor material unable to bend or fold, this basket is made of sturdypaperboard which folds compactly and collapses into a single unit whichcan be opened fully when desired. In addition, there is a singleperforated, cut-out in the center of the paper basket's front wall. Thiscut-out is specially designed and is created by a custom cut duringmanufacture. The perforation, allows for easy removal of the cut-outfrom the paper basket's front wall. Once removed, this cut-out serves asa gift card which can be written on and used with basket. This paperbasket embodies a single self contained unit with the addition of abuilt-in gift card.

The paperboard tray (FIG. 1) forms the foundation and base of theinvention. It is unique in its operation in that it can collapse and bequickly brought back to a useable state by slightly pulling the sides ofthe tray; prompting the tray to pop back into shape. The front wall ofthe basket contains a built-in gift card (FIG. 3) which will be expandedon further in this description.

As the name implies, the tray is made of paper; namely chipboard. A typeof cardboard which is more refined and better suited to commercial usethan the standard poster or cardboard. The paperboard tray consists offour side walls (FIG. 2) and a single bottom panel (FIG. 4). The bottompanel employs a custom made auto-lock closure (FIG. 5) designedspecifically to aide in the closure of this particular invention. Atypical auto-lock closure employs a bottom made of four intersectingpanels (FIG. 4). These panels are uniformed in length and allow a box tobend. This invention's bottom panel also includes four intersectingpanels but with a single bottom panel being extended, longer (FIG. 5).This extended bottom panel (FIG. 6) allows the paper basket to fold andcollapse more easily, to do so multiple times, and to be stronger wheninvention is fully expanded and in use. When collapsed, this bottompanel is tucked inside basket and remains unseen (FIG. 7).

There is a single perforated, cut-out (FIG. 3) located in the center ofthe tray's front wall. This cut-out is specifically designed to sit inthe center of the tray and is created using a custom Die cut duringmanufacture. By using a perforation method (A series of tiny holespunched through the tray) the cut-out remains partially attached to thetray's front wall but, when desired, can be snapped out (FIG. 9) orpulled away from the paperboard tray. By doing this, the cut-out can beutilized as a decorative gift card which can be used with the invention.

The interior walls of this invention (FIG. 8) are designed to supportthe placement of adhesive strips by being non-printed and smooth. Theadhesive would hold in place a cellophane bag that is typically placedby a consumer after purchase of this paper basket and expanding it. Theplacement of the bag will realize the typical use and function of thisinvention by a consumer (FIG. 10).

All the elements described explain the uniqueness, purpose, use andfunction of my invention.

1. A decorative paper gift basket comprised of a single, box-like papertray made of commercial grade paperboard with a perforated, built-ingift card allowing for adherence of a cellophane bag to interior; whilefolding compactly and collapsing into a single unit which can be openedfully when desired.
 2. The basket being made of paperboard, which folds,collapses, creating an item that is light weight, takes little space,can be packaged to be sold as a small, flat, self-contained retailproduct.
 3. Wherein the built-in gift card is a custom cut duringmanufacture, is built-into the front panel of basket, with perforatededges providing for easy removal from basket.